Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

City of Idaho Falls

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. Read More.

Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are� genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering listing di- or tri-haloacetic acids for possible inclusion in its comprehensive Report on Carcinogens.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

16

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.595 ppb220.590 ppb - 0.600 ppb
20190.725 ppb220.600 ppb - 0.850 ppb
20201.15 ppb220.690 ppb - 1.60 ppb
20210.593 ppb440.540 ppb - 0.650 ppb
20220.495 ppb220.420 ppb - 0.570 ppb
20230.563 ppb440.420 ppb - 0.700 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 60 ppb

The legal limit for the group of five haloacetic acids (HAA5), established in 1998, was based on the need for residual disinfectant levels in water served to customers and the cost of treatment. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus due to exposure to haloacetic acids.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-08-27DB180827620010.600 ppb
2018-08-27DB180827620020.590 ppb
2019-07-09DB190709700010.600 ppb
2019-07-30DB190727970010.850 ppb
2020-08-11DB200811320010.690 ppb
2020-08-11DB200811320021.60 ppb
2021-07-13DB210710690020.630 ppb
2021-07-13DB210710690010.650 ppb
2021-08-09DB210808160010.550 ppb
2021-08-09DB210808160020.540 ppb
2022-07-18DB220714710010.570 ppb
2022-07-18DB220714710020.420 ppb
2023-07-10DB230705990010.570 ppb
2023-07-10DB230705990020.420 ppb
2023-08-14DB230815210010.560 ppb
2023-08-14DB230815210020.700 ppb